In amongst the busy morning, a new Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trial is now available and taking advantage of some of the new content brought along by today’s update.
We’re switching back to road cars again this week, though that only just about covers the vehicle in question. In fact the game doesn’t technically classify it as such, as it belongs to the “Professionally Tuned” car stable, populated by aggressively upgraded vehicles both from aftermarket concerns and manufacturers themselves.
The NISMO R34 GT-R Z-Tune sort of fits both brackets. Built as a 20th anniversary present to itself in 2005, NISMO — Nissan’s motorsports and tuning arm — wanted to create the ultimate R34. The only problem with that was the R34 ceased production in 2002, so NISMO had to buy back 20 examples (one of which it kept) in order to do so.
Every one was a Skyline GT-R V-Spec with 30,000km (about 18,600 miles) or less on the clocks, before being stripped back to the chassis (which was rewelded for rigidity) and rebuilt with significantly upgraded parts. That included a stroked 2.8-liter version of the RB26DETT engine based off the Z2 racing block and producing around 500hp; NISMO wasn’t subject to the Gentleman’s Agreement…
You’ll be trying to put all of that down to the road in this week’s time trial at Kyoto Driving Park Yamagiwa. This winding course resembles a handling circuit at a proving ground, so the ideal place to put the Z-Tune through its paces on Sports Medium tires. Thankfully you can also rent one for the event, if the 3m asking price is too steep for you right now.
At present the record is right at the bottom of the 1:43s, setting the gold target at 1:46.092. It’s tough to say how much is left to gain here — after all it’s day one with a brand new car — but the leaderboard is beginning to cluster so probably not much. We’d say to aim for a 1:45.5 if you want the 2m credits.
There’s still a week remaining on the high-speed time trial at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, featuring the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Vision GT entry from Hyundai, and it seems that some players right at the top have managed to get the active aero on this beast hooked up.
More than a second has been carved off the top time from day one, with the current record sitting at a 1:51.606. That sets the gold target at 1:54.954, or about half a second faster than we’d anticipated. The good news is that there’s probably not a lot of time left on the table, given how tight the leaderboard is, so if you’re already in the 1:54.7s or better then you’re probably safe.
In order to access the Online Time Trials, you’ll need to unlock Sport Mode, by completing Menu Book 9 (“Championship: Tokyo Highway Parade”) in the GT Cafe single player hub. As it’s just you against the clock and not a direct, head-to-head multiplayer event, PlayStation Plus is not required.
You’ll usually need to be within 3% of the fastest time globally once the event finishes in order to secure “gold” status and a 2m credit bonus prize. There’s smaller prizes of one million for being within 5%, and 250,000cr for bronze at 10% off.
The events update every Thursday, with each individual challenge usually remaining available for two weeks and the oldest of the two events being replaced each week. You can look forward to the next new Time Trial arriving at 0700 UTC on Thursday July 31.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge July 24 – Kyoto Driving Park
- Track: Kyoto Driving Park Yamagiwa
- Car: NISMO R34 GT-R Z-Tune ’05 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Sports Medium
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge July 17 – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Track: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Car: Hyundai N 2025 VGT – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Racing Soft
- Settings: Fixed
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